Storage containers

Abstract

Filtered storage containers for hazardous waste, such as radioactive waste, more particularly plutonium in the form of oxides and salts, are made of stainless steel and include lids which are retained by retaining rings that utilize bayonet or ratchet closures that cooperate with rims that are integral with cans to hold the lids in place. Sealing arrangements are provided that each include an O-ring of a circular cross section which seals radially between the lid and rim, as well as a seal of cruciform cross section, which seal provides compression sealing between the lid and an annular shelf within the rim upon locking the retaining ring to the rim with the bayonet or ratchet fitting.

1 . A container for hazardous materials comprising: 
 a can having a closed end and an open end;    a locking rim located at the open end of the can, the locking rim having a shelf therein of a first inner diameter and first locking members disposed in spaced relation to the shelf;    a lid having an outer surface and an inner surface, the lid having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shelf wherein when the lid is mounted on the can the lid is supported on the shelf;    at least one gasket between the shelf and the inner surface of the lid;    a retaining ring for locking the lid to the gasket, the retaining ring having second locking members thereon alignable with the first locking members on the locking ring.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 2  wherein a handle is mounted on the retaining ring.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the handle is pivoted on the retaining ring to fold toward the lid.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein a cavity is defined above the lid by the retaining ring and wherein the handle is U-shaped and is pivoted to the retaining ring by pintles which extend into holes in the retaining ring to dispose the handle within the cavity when the handle is folded toward the lid.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the retaining ring has laterally opening drains extending therethrough to drain liquid from the lid.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is made of stainless steel which has high heat conductivity and withstands temperatures to about 450° F.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the hazardous waste in the container includes transuranic material.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the container includes a gas vent therethrough, the gas vent having a particle filter therein.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the filter is a HEPTA filter which excludes passage of liquids but allows passage of gas and vapor.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8  further including a sampling port containing a valve allowing insertion of a probe through the port to sample fluid within the container.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein both the vent and sampling port are through the lid.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11  in combination with similar containers of differing heights, widths and volumes, wherein the container is receivable within another container and can receive another container therein to nest a series of similar containers.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  in combination with similar containers of differing heights, widths and volumes wherein the container is receivable within another container and can receive another container therein to nest a series of similar containers.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the hazardous waste in the container is includes transuranic material.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the container includes a gas vent therethrough, the gas vent having a partial filter therein.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the filter is a HEPTA filter which excludes passage of liquids but allows passage of gas and vapor.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 10  further including a sampling port containing a valve allowing insertion of a probe through the port to sample fluid within the container.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein both the vent and sampling port are through the lid.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first and second spaced lugs, respective wherein when the lugs are misaligned with the lid engaging the gasket on the shelf the lid is not locked to the shelf and wherein when the lid is rotated to align the first and second lugs the second lugs fit beneath the first lugs forming a bayonet connection locking the lid to the can.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 19  wherein there is a radial gasket engaging the rim peripherally and a compression gasket engaging the tub in an axial direction.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the radial gasket is an O-ring and wherein the compression gasket has a cruciform cross section.  
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the lid has a peripheral thread and the open end of the can has an internal thread which complements the peripheral thread of the lid, the lid having at least one biased projection thereon aligned with ratchet teeth adjacent the open end of the can for establishing a ratchet connection between the lid and the can wherein as the lid is rotated to tighten the lid against the gasket.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 22  wherein there is a radial gasket engaging the rim peripherally and a compression gasket engaging the tub in an axial direction.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the radial gasket is an O-ring and wherein the compression gasket has a cruciform cross section.